Deputies arrest 11 in follow-up anti-drug operation

Thursday

Tennille Sanders, 33, was one of 11 suspects arrested in an overnight initiative drug bust in Bartow, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Sanders was arrested two weeks ago as the alleged leader of a cocaine trafficking business that sheriff's detectives took down as part of "Operation Crack-Down," which netted 51 arrests. Sanders was booked into the Polk County Jail on Dec. 16 and posted a $30,000 bond on Dec. 18.

The sheriff's Narcotics and Tactical Drug Unit and Bartow police found Sanders at the residence of his brother, Anthony Sanders, 36, at 955 Tee Circle, Bartow. At the time of his arrest, Tennille Sanders was in possession of $20,000.

"We should be able to keep him in this time," Polk Sheriff Grady Judd said. "Guys like Tennille Sanders dealing drugs is his job and his business, so when he's out of jail he is going to be selling drugs."

According to the Sheriff's Office, detectives found marijuana, cocaine and drug paraphernalia at the residence. Both Tennille and Anthony Sanders were arrested.

In another search at 522 Bee Circle, in Bartow, Amos Hunter, 30, whose last known address was 3292 South Ave., Bartow, was standing outside the residence when he was charged with possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia, according to the Sheriff's Office.

A second suspect, 29-year-old Torey Taylor, was seen coming out of the residence and detectives noticed a baggie of cocaine and marijuana sitting on a table through a kitchen window and arrested Taylor. He was booked for possession of cocaine and marijuana with intent to sell within 1,000 feet from church, maintaining a dwelling for drug trafficking and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and drug paraphernalia, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office said a cell phone was confiscated from Taylor by detectives and the screen saver on his phone showed a picture of Judd holding an automatic rifle at a press conference for "Operation Crack-Down."

"I don't think it's alarming to see a picture like that in this day of technology," Judd said. "It's kind of a badge of honor for these kind of people in the community, and I'm certain it was a badge of honor for him."

Ashley Pence, 19, Terry Ponds, 31, Tavares West, 22, Susan Cole, 48, Prayer Hamilton, 21, Katrina Scott, 39, and Roger Parham, 57, also were arrested during the overnight drug bust, the Sheriff's Office said. West was one of nine people who were still at large following "Operation Crack-Down" and Ponds was among the 51 arrested during that operation.

charles.gonzalez@newschief.com

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